Eric Roberts has done Donegal proud, despite falling just short of the Dancing with the Stars Glitterball Trophy.
2025 Rose of Tralee winner Katelyn Cummins and her pro partner Leonardo Lini were named the winners after tonight’s public vote.
However, Donegal’s own Eric did himself proud despite not getting to lift the trophy.
The judges gave Eric and his partner, Arianna Favaro’s dances a perfect 40/40 as they left everything on the ballroom floor.
Eric and Arianna nailed their first dance of the night, the Judges Choice – as they returned to perform their Charleston from the Fright Night week to the soundtrack of Happy by C2C.
Then for their Showdance, they pulled out all the stops to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ Can’t Hold Us.
Eric Roberts and Arianna Favaro on Dancing with the Stars 2026
Eric’s emotional return to Downings was also shown, as he and Arianna were given a welcome befitting of royalty.
Along with Eric’s wife, son and extended family members, the local community also came out in force to give Eric a fitting send-off before the final.
“We wouldn’t have gotten a crowd like this winning the Intermediate, I’ll tell you that!,” he said addressing the crowd of hundreds of locals.
“This has been one of the greatest journeys that I’ve ever been on in my life, I have such pride coming from Downings and to have you all here now when we’re coming to the finish line it’s just the cherry on top of the cake.”
Eric told Donegal Daily how much his family’s support has meant each and every week of the competition – particularly his wife Niamh, who has been caring for their son Rian as he has taken on the DWTS journey of a lifetime.
“I’m dedicating every performance to Niamh,” he said, also paying tribute to his extended family who have been alongside him every step of the way.
“I have the most supportive family in the world and I have for the last few years,” Eric says.
“We do our debriefs every Sunday and they tell me what they thought I could have done differently or how I can improve. We’re all incredibly close.”
Eric does Donegal proud in Dancing with the Stars Final was last modified: March 15th, 2026 by Staff Writer
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